Game Changers pilot launches in San Diego and Chicago to improve young men’s mental health
We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Game Changers pilot program. Aimed at harnessing the benefits of sport to help young men build resilience, manage stress and improve their overall mental wellbeing, Game Changers has been ten years in the making.
In 2015, we launched Making Connections, a Movember-funded, community-led initiative grounded in the understanding that boys and young men of color already possess the strength, insight and potential to thrive—and that communities thrive when they have the resources and spaces to support that growth. Over the past decade, this work has reaffirmed the value of showing up with humility, listening closely, and working in true partnership with communities. We've learned from boys and young men who are deeply engaged in shaping their futures, understanding their identities and strengthening the communities they’re proud to be part of.
We’ve also learned how critical adolescence is for shaping mental wellbeing. Research shows that half of all mental health challenges begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24. During these years, boys often navigate complex questions of identity and belonging—sometimes in environments that lack the resources or recognition they need. While some may turn to unhealthy coping behaviors like gambling, alcohol or drugs, our work has shown that with the right support, young men choose connection, purpose, and growth. We’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of early intervention, the healing force of community, and the unifying power of sport.
Who will take part in the pilot program?
In 2024, we partnered with two existing Making Connections sites, San Diego and Chicago, both of which have built their youth programming around sport as a foundational element. Through a collaborative needs assessment, we heard from community leaders and youth that intentional programming around mental health and identity development was both needed and welcomed. With sports-based intervention at the heart of Chicago’s Beyond the Ball and San Diego’s United Women of East Africa Support Team (UWEAST), the pilot will launch with these two trusted community organizations with deep roots, visionary leadership and proven impact.
Erin Krummes-Johnson, Manager, Young Men’s Health Implementation, Movember said: “At Movember, we believe the most effective programs are built with communities, not for them—because they are the experts in their own needs. That’s why the Game Changers pilot in San Diego and Chicago is being co-developed with local partners, mentors and young men themselves, using sport as a powerful tool to support mental wellbeing, deepen coping skills and foster connection to culture and identity.”
What is the purpose of Game Changers?
Game Changers seeks to explore how recreational sport can become a setting for mental wellbeing and healthy identities—especially for young people who may not otherwise have access to organized sport.
By embedding a co-designed mental health intervention within community-based sports programs at UWEAST and Beyond the Ball, the pilot will generate valuable insight into what works, and how sport can be used to foster lifelong emotional skills, resilience and connection.
Rob Castaneda, Executive Director, Beyond the Ball said: “Our young people already have so much strength—they just need the space and support to grow into it. This program honors that. It meets them where they are, taps into the power of sport and helps them recognize the leaders they’re already becoming. By addressing the emotional battles our youth face, we are giving them the tools to navigate life with confidence and compassion. We’re not starting from scratch—we’re building on the resilience, pride and leadership that already lives in our boys."
Who will the pilot programs support
The pilot is designed to support and strengthen work already happening in historically marginalized communities by building on local knowledge and lived experience. It focuses on boys and young men, ages 10–24 who are engaged through sport as a pathway for connection and growth. Program content will be delivered by community-based mentors, many of whom have participated in similar programming themselves and bring deep understanding of the youth they serve.
What will the curriculum focus on?
The mental health program will place youth voice, lived experience and community expertise at the core of its development. Based on initial feedback from Beyond the Ball and UWEAST, the curriculum will focus on mental health literacy, emotion regulation, and healthy/fluid masculinities.
The program is designed to create space for young men to deepen their understanding of mental health, explore healthy identity and build emotional regulation skills. Rather than simply aiming to increase knowledge, the focus is on fostering self-awareness, reflection and personal growth. At the same time, mentors will engage in a parallel journey—continuing to grow alongside participants and further develop as trusted leaders within their communities.
What comes next?
Following the pilot, the curriculum will be further refined in partnership with the community to ensure it remains relevant and impactful. Beginning in the fall, it will be extended to new groups of boys and young men, building on the trust, relationships and momentum already established. There is additional consideration of expanding the program across new communities and leveraging large-scale events to increase reach and further amplify impact. Stay tuned!